The new-look elite side of the AFL saw the fourth-most All Australians capped in a single year, behind only the 15 named for the first time in 2012, 14 in 1982 and 13 in 2014.

 The Adelaide Crows, Essendon and West Coast each supplied three players with 12 separate clubs represented. Richmond’s Alex Rance, who won selection for the fourth consecutive year, was named All Australian captain and West Coast’s Josh Kennedy as his deputy, who was in his third consecutive side.

 The 2017 All Australian Team was named from the backline as:

 

Michael Hibberd (Melb) Alex Rance (capt, Rich) Jeremy McGovern (WCoast)

Rory Laird (Adel)    Michael Hurley (Ess)    Sam Docherty (Carl)

Josh Kelly (GWS)    Dustin Martin (Rich)     Zach Merrett (Ess)

Robbie Gray (PAdel)    Lance Franklin (Syd)    Dayne Zorko (Bris)

Joe Daniher (Ess)    Josh Kennedy (v-capt, WCoast)    Eddie Betts (Adel)

Paddy Ryder (PAdel)    Patrick Dangerfield (Geel Cats)    Tom Mitchell (Haw)

Interchange: – Matt Crouch (Adel Crows)    Joel Selwood (Geel Cats)    

Dylan Shiel  (GWS)    Elliott Yeo (WCoast)

 

Eight players retained their spots from the 22 players named in the 2016 AFL All Australian team – Betts, Dangerfield, Franklin, Kennedy, McGovern, Martin, Rance and Selwood, while Franklin was named for his seventh All Australian honour – the most of any players in the side.

 The All Australian selection panel is Gillon McLachlan (chairman), Kevin Bartlett, Luke Darcy, Andrew Dillon, Danny Frawley, Glen Jakovich, Chris Johnson, Cameron Ling, Matthew Richardson and Warren Tredrea.